Wellbeing

At our school, student wellbeing and learning go hand in hand. We want every student to feel safe, included and ready to learn. Whether your child needs help with their mental, emotional, social or physical wellbeing, we are here to help them thrive at school and in daily life.

We are committed to ensuring a safe and happy environment for your child.

We support your child’s health and safety through a range of strategies including:

• the behaviour code for students, which outlines the standards of behaviour expected in all NSW public schools
• anti-racism education
• anti-bullying programs
• conflict resolution and mediation training
• peer support
• road safety education
• the Healthy School Canteen Strategy.

For more information, visit the  student wellbeing section  of the department’s website.

Like all NSW public schools, we promote the healthy development of students through:

• school programs and practices that protect and promote health and safety
• supporting individual students who need help with health issues
• providing first aid and temporary care of students who become unwell or who have an accident at school.

Student wellbeing

Like all NSW public schools, we provide safe learning and teaching environments to encourage healthy, happy, successful and productive students.

The department is committed to creating quality learning opportunities for children and young people. These opportunities support wellbeing through positive and respectful relationships and fostering a sense of belonging to the school and community.

The Wellbeing Framework for Schools helps schools support the cognitive, physical, social, emotional and spiritual development of students and allow them to connect, succeed and thrive throughout their education.

Positive Behaviour for Learning

At our school, we use Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) – a whole-school approach for creating a positive, safe and supportive school climate where students can learn and develop. Our whole school community works together to establish expected behaviours and teach them to all students.

The school counsellor supports student wellbeing by providing specialised psychological assessment, counselling and intervention services. The school counsellor will often work with parents, carers and other agencies to support students who may need some additional help outside of the school. Often in schools like Penrith Valley School, the student will initially ask to meet with a school counsellor, however parents, carers and school staff also can play a role in requesting the support of a counsellor for a student who may have been identified as needing some additional short-term mental health support. School counsellors form part of a larger school support team. At Penrith Valley School, the school counsellor works closely with our Student Support Officer (SSO) - Nigel, and Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) Scott.

Sometimes over holiday periods we may find ourselves needing support, yet not knowing what help is available. The following is a list of support services that are free and can be accessed throughout this period.

• The way ahead directory will provide you with a list of local mental health and community services in your area. Alternatively, you can contact the mental health information line between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 1300 794 991 or at https://directory.wayahead.org.au/
• Health Direct provides 24 hour access to free approved health information and advice and can be accessed through 1800 022 222 or https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/
• The parent helpline is a free counselling and support service for parent and carers with children between the ages of 0 to 18 and can be accessed between 9am-9pm Monday to Friday and 4pm to 9pm on weekends on 1300 1300 52 or https://www.parentline.org.au/
• Headspace provides mental health support for young people, carers and families through a free mental health chat on 1800 650 890 or online at https://headspace.org.au/
• Lifeline is a 24 hour crisis support line for those who are experiencing emotional distress can be contacted on 13 11 14 or at https://www.lifeline.org.au/
• Kids Helpline is for children and young people between the ages of 5 to 25 and can be accessed through phone on 1800 55 1800 or at https://kidshelpline.com.au/

A teacher may recommend the service by referring a student to the school’s learning and support team. As a parent or carer, you may refer your child directly to the school counselling service. Students can also self-refer to the service.

The school counselling service can:

• support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
• help parents and carers make decisions about your child’s education
• assess a student’s learning and behaviour
• help teachers and students identify and address disabilities that may affect learning
• liaise with other agencies regarding student wellbeing.

School counselling is confidential.

For more information about learning and support teams and the school counselling service, visit:

• Disability, learning and support – roles and responsibilities
• Student wellbeing – counselling and psychology services.

Need support for your child's wellbeing?

Kids helpline

Get in touch to talk about the right support for your child.

Contact us